Bologna and Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori is on Arsenal’s summer shortlist (Getty)
Bologna have indicated that they will consider offers for Arsenal target Riccardo Calafiori.
The 22-year-old centre-back played a key role in helping Bologna finish fifth in Serie A last season, which secured their place in the Champions League for the upcoming campaign.
Calafiori was also part of Italy’s Euro 2024 squad where they were eliminated following a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the last-16 stage on Saturday.
The defender has been linked with several clubs including Juventus, Arsenal and Liverpool but reports in Italy this week have suggested that Mikel Arteta’s side have registered the strongest interest from teams outside of Serie A.
Juventus have already held talks over the possible signing of Calafiori but have reportedly cooled their interest with Bologna demanding a €40 million (£33.8m) transfer fee.
Juve are said to have Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior as an alternative signing to Calafiori.
Riccardo Calafiori was one of Bologna’s standout performers last season (Getty)
Calafiori was signed by Bologna in a €4m (£3.3m) deal from Swiss side FC Basel last summer.
And now Bologna’s technical director, Giovanni Sartori, admits Calafiori could move on again if they receive an ‘important’ offer.
‘We took him 12 months ago, so we’ll see what happens in the market, but in our heads there is the will to keep him,’ Sartori said.
‘We will try to keep him, but if important offers arrive, we will have to take them into consideration.
‘I don’t think he will go to Juventus, he will probably go to a different market.’
Bologna also face the prospect of losing their star striker Joshua Zirkzee, who is wanted by Manchester United and AC Milan.
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